Family · Asterids
Apocynaceae
Dogbane, oleander, milkweed, periwinkle
Often milky-sapped herbs, shrubs and vines with paired follicles; includes oleander and milkweeds.
- Accepted species
- 6,758accepted names · Kew WCVP
- Genera
- 387accepted genera · Kew WCVP
- Origin
- ≈31 MaPaleogene · crown age, Jin & Qian 2022 megatree
- Centre of diversity
- Southern Americamost native species · WGSRPD
Open Apocynaceae in the treePan, zoom and dig into its genera in the interactive view.›
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Largest genera
Hoya568 spp.
Ceropegia473 spp.
Vincetoxicum281 spp.
Cynanchum259 spp.
Asclepias210 spp.
Mandevilla183 spp.
Matelea180 spp.
Secamone150 spp.
Ruehssia148 spp.
Oxypetalum139 spp.
Gonolobus137 spp.
Dischidia128 spp.
Tabernaemontana126 spp.
Alyxia117 spp.
Ditassa114 spp.
Metastelma94 spp.
Parsonsia90 spp.
Leichhardtia87 spp.
Aspidosperma80 spp.
Rauvolfia79 spp.
Huernia78 spp.
Marsdenia69 spp.
Landolphia64 spp.
Prestonia63 spp.
Orbea60 spp.
Orthosia55 spp.
Gymnema54 spp.
Forsteronia46 spp.
Heterostemma45 spp.
Philibertia45 spp.
Alstonia44 spp.
Ochrosia44 spp.
Xysmalobium40 spp.
Pachycarpus39 spp.
Scyphostelma39 spp.
Strophanthus39 spp.
Aspidoglossum37 spp.
Echidnopsis36 spp.
Ibatia36 spp.
Raphionacme36 spp.
Wrightia35 spp.
Cryptolepis34 spp.
Malouetia32 spp.
Stapelia31 spp.
Tassadia31 spp.
Caralluma30 spp.
Toxocarpus29 spp.
Odontadenia27 spp.
Polystemma27 spp.
Schizoglossum26 spp.
Alafia25 spp.
Baissea25 spp.
Jobinia25 spp.
Kopsia25 spp.
Melodinus25 spp.
Lacmellea24 spp.
Sarcolobus24 spp.
Pachypodium23 spp.
Pentopetia23 spp.
Funastrum22 spp.
The 327 smaller genera are in the interactive tree.
Where it grows
- Southern America2,035
- Africa1,899
- Asia-Tropical1,770
- Asia-Temperate594
- Northern America559
- Pacific215
- Australasia176
- Europe30
Native species richness by botanical continent (WGSRPD level 1), from Kew WCVP.
Related families
Apocynaceae sits in the order Gentianales.